Coin deliverer for fare-collecting apparatus



A. M. GORDON 2,766,762

COIN DELIVERER FOR FARE-COLLECTING APPARATUS Oct. 16, 1956 Filed Aug. 24, 1950 d L J ,uM/ww J ZL i j wr@ ,d 7 ma Listo@ ai? im @M4 y m@ U VAT/J n Y LU ,WU

L! Ll 'United States Patent 0 COIN DELIVERER FOR FARE-COLLECTING APPARATUS Alexander M. Gordon, Cranston, R. I., assignor to Max L. Grant, Providence, R. I.

Application August 24, 1950, Serial No. 181,177

3 Claims. (Cl. 133-5) This invention pertains to coin handling and relates more particularly to a change box or coin deliverer such as is customarily employed, for example, by fare collectors for delivering coins of different denominations oneby-one in making change. A coin deliverer of this type usually comprises a series of upright, parallel tubes or cylinders each designed to receive coins of a cert-ain denomination, each tube having at its lower end a manually controllable delivery gate through which coins one at a time may be delivered into the respective tube into the hand of the operator. When used for collecting fares, for example on the vehicles of public transportation systems, the coin deliverer is usually associated with a farereceiving and counting apparatus which, after counting the coins, assorts them and directs them into the proper tubes of the delivering apparatus.

While a person skilled in change making might theoretically be able to select change from such a series of tubes so as to prevent any tube from becoming completely full, the distaste of the public for receiving a large number of small pieces of change makes it practically impossible to avoid the iilling of some of the tubes particularly those designed for the reception of the smaller coins such as one cent pieces. On the other hand if a tube becomes completely filled, further coins intended for the tube pile up and choke the assorting device and may eventually stop the operation of the counting mechanism. Under such conditions it may become necessary to remove the entire apparatus from the vehicle for disassembly and the clearing of the clogged coins. To avoid this occurrence the operator must keep close watch upon the coin delivery device and when any tube becomes nearly full, must withdraw coins one at a time from said tube and place them in a receptacle provided for the purpose.

Apparatus of the above type is commonly used in the buses of public transportation systems. Usually the driver of the bus is not only responsible for the proper operation of the bus, including the watch-ing of traic and traic signals, announcing street and station stops, opening and closing doors, taking fares and making change, answering passengers questions and directing them to their ultimate destinations, but also for the safety of his passengers and for the money which he receives as fares. Thus a single person is obliged to perform a series of functions which, on other public transportation systems, engage the attention of many individuals. Obviously the bus drivers principal consideration must be to keep his eye on the road ahead of him. Every duty which takes his eye from the road introduces a hazard and thus, so far as can mechanically be possible, the number of duties must be reduced.

The principal object of the present invention is =to provide an improved `coin delivery `device :such as to relieve the 'Operator of frequent `inspection to determi-ne the |degrec of filling of the tubes, 4and automatically `t-o prevent any of the tubes from becoming over-full in the event ice 2 that 'the driver fails `to make such observation fat suffi cien'tly frequent intervals.

A further object is to provide a coin deliverer `so devised as completely to relieve fthe user of the necessity of frequent inspection. A further object is to provide la coin delivener so designed that whenever any of 'the coin tubes is full, any coins ymoving along ,a path `toward said tube will be diverted toward another path. A further object is to provide a coin deliverer having a coin receptacle so associated with the -coiniholding tubes that when any 'tube is ful-l, ycoins `directed into the 'entrance of said lled -tube will be delivered into sai-d receptacle. A further object is -to provide a porta-bie change box or coin deliverer comprising the 'customary set of `coin tubes each having ya coin ldischarge gate but having associated therewith :a reservoir 'arranged automatically to receive coins normally destined for t'h'e tube which is full.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the following more. detail-ed description and by reference to the Iaccompa-nying vdr-awings wherein Fig. 1 is `a front elevation of a coin deliverer embodying `the present invention, porti-ons being broken away;

Fig. 2 is :a rear elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is :a plan view of the device shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of Ithe device, viewed from its rightihand side; and

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5-5 of Fig. l, showing the device in `association with means (shown in fragmentary section) tor receiving coins rom a supply.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates the top plate Iof a base ystructure which also comprises lthe bottom plate 11, held in spaced relation :to vthe pla-te 1G by spacer elements 12 and 13, the several parts ci the base being permanently unite-d yby rivets, welding lor the like.

A series of coin-receiving tubes 'is carried by this base. These `ccinneceiving tubes |are in general of conventional type, being cylindrical .and arranged with their :axes parallel and in a plane perpendicular to lthe upper surface of the plate 1i). The ltubes are of appropriate internaldiameter to receive coins of various denominations. As here illus'tnated tubes 14, 15, 15, 1 18 are designed t-o receive coins such as one cent pieces, -ve cent pieces, dimes and quarters. ln this particular instance two of the tubes :are `alike and designed to receive one Acent pieces, although any desired arrangement of the tubes may be employe-d. The number of tubes Iemployed may be varied according lt-o circumstances. The plete 10 is provided with openings corresponding to the tubes and the lower ends of `the tubes are fitted into these openings, the 'tubes Vbeing permanently iixed in position, for example by vvelding them lto the pla't'e 10.

Each -tube lhas an upper entrance-portion 14a, 15a, 16a, 17L and 18a respectively, which, 'as here illustrated, is an integral continuation of lthe tube proper, coaxial with the Latter and of the same interna-l diameter. The upper ends of these entrance-portions are fitted into openings 19a 'in a top pila-te 19 which is panal-lei to the plate 10, the entrance-pontions of the tubes lbeing permanently secured to the plate 19 Iby welding or the like. The entranceportions 14a, 15a, etc. are freely open 'at their upper ends and are designed to 'be placed in registry with coin de- 'livery throats 21 (Fig. 5) forming elements of `a coinfeeding device 22 which may, for example, be a coinlsorting mechanism ldesigned to deliver coins of the proper denomination to the lrespective tubes. 'Phe change box or coin zdelfiverer is arranged for ready removal from the mechanism 22 so that `the u-ser of the device, for example 'a ybus driver, may carry the coin deliverer with [him when he leaves the bus. Since the details of the arrangement for supporting the coin `de'liverer in operative relation to 'the apparatus 22 forms no part `of the present invention and may be of customary itype, it is not yherein illustrated.

The base `of lthe device, comprising the plates 10 and 1-1, is furnished with guideways for Vdelivery slides 23 (Fig. 5) one of which is placed below each of lthe coin 'tu-bes and provided with 'a coin-receiving opening 24 into which the lowest coin in the tub-e may drop and which moves the coin forwardly when lthe slide is actuated. Each slide is provided with an actuating ihandle 24 and is normally held in 'the rearward, coinfeoeiving position by a spring 2S.

The tubes 14, 15, etc. are usually of metal and, in order to permit the user to determine whether they contain coins, each tube is provided, as shown, with a vertical series of spaced apertures 26. Obviously, if the tubes were to be made of a transparent material, for example a synthetic resin, such openings would not be necessary. Preferably each tube is provided near its top with a coin-receiving slot 27 so that the user may deposit coins in the tube when necessary to provide a supply of coins for change making.

The top of each tube proper may be defined as in the plane of the lowest point 28 (Fig. 5) of a coin discharge opening 29 formed in the rear portion of the entrance-portion 14a, 15a, etc. of each of the respective tubes. This discharge opening 29 extends about substantially a semi-circumference of the tube, so that coins are freely delivered through this opening. After the stack of coins in the tubes has built up to the level of the point 28, further coins which are dropped into the tube tend to fall rearwardly through the opening 29. The forward walls of the entrance-portions 14a etc. prevent coins from escaping forwardly. In accordance with the present invention, a coin receiver 32 (Fig, 5) is arranged just to the rear of the series of tubes 14, 14a, etc. This coin receiver may be of sheet metal or other suitable material and comprises the end walls 33 and 34 (Fig. 1) which are spaced laterally so that they receive the series of tubes between them. Each of these end walls is provided with a ange 35 at its lower end which is secured, for example, by rivets, to the plate 10. The coin receiver 32 also has the vertical rear wall 36, the bottom wall 37 which rests on the plate 10, and a forward vertical wall 38 which extends along, and in approximately tangential relation to, the series of tubes. The upper margin of this forward wall 38 is bent forwardly and upwardly as shown at 39 (Fig. 5), this forwardly bent portion or flange 39 having segmental apertures for the reception of the rear portions of the several tubes. The forward portion of this flange 39 is shaped to provide upwardly directed guard fingers 40 which are located between the several tubes so as to prevent escape of coins in a forward direction between the tubes.

In the operation of the device, coins are fed into the several tubes through the throats 21 of the apparatus 22 and in usual manner the operator withdraws coins from the several tubes, as desired, by the actuation of the slides 23. However, if the coins in any given tube accumulate until the top coin in the stack is above/the level of the point 28, further coins dropping into the entranceportion of the tube under such conditions will tend to fall out through the opening 29 into the receiver 32. When the level of the stack of coins in the tube drops, by reason of removal of coins from the bottom of the tube, the escape of coins through the opening 29 will cease until the stack in the tube again reaches the level of the point 28.

By this arrangement it is unnecessary for the user to observe the height of the stack in the several tubes, other than to insure himself that there are sufiicient coins in any given tube to facilitate change making. If, as above described, an excessive number of coins tends to pile up in any tube, coins are automatically delivered into the receiver 32, so long as such abnormal Condition exists,

After the operator has removed the coin box or delivery device from the apparatus 22 he may invert it, whereupon the coins contained in the receiver 32 fall freely out into any vessel which he may employ to catch them.

It is manifest that the presence of the receiver 32 does not in any way interfere with the normal operation of the coin-delivery device in change making, but only serves to relieve the user of the necessity of watching the several tubes to prevent any tube from becoming so filled as to block the supply throat 21 and thus interfere with the operation of the apparatus 22.

While one desirable embodiment of the invention has herein been illustrated and described by way of example, it is to be understood that the invention is broadly inclusive of any and all modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, in a portable coin delivering unit of the kind which comprises a series of cylindrical coin tubes arranged with their axes vertical, certain of the tubes being of such diameter as to receive coins of the same denomination and other of the tubes being of a diameter to receive coins of a different denomination, vertically spaced upper and lower horizontal plates to which the tubes are fixed, each tube comprising an entrance portion at its upper end, a coin delivery slide below the lower end of each tube, the entrance portion of each tube having a circular opening for the reception of coins, a coin receptacle having spaced front and rear'vertical walls, a bottom and spaced vertical side walls, the distance between the front and `rear walls being approximately equal to the diameter of the largest coin tube, the front wall extending along the rear of the tubes and in substantially tangential relation to the several tubes, each tube having a coin escape aperture whose highest point is adjacent t0 the upper end of the tube but below the upper of said horizontal plates and whose lowest point is substantially at the level of the upper edge of the front wall of the coin receptacle, each escape aperture being of a heightk such that a coin may fall rearwardly therethrough into the receptacle, said front wall of the receptacle having an integral upwardly and forwardly inclined ange provided with segmental apertures for the reception of the` entrance portions of the tubes, the flange comprising integral vertical guard fingers which fill the spaces between the entrance portions of adjacent tubes of the series, each side wall of the receptacle having a iange at its lower part which rests upon and is connected to the lower ofV said horizontal plates thereby holding the receptacle in xed assembly with the tubes, thereby providing a structure which can be handled as a unit, the receptacle being permanently closed at its front, rear, sides and bottom but freely open at its top, whereby, although coins deposited in the receptacle are normally retained therein, they may be dumped from the receptacle by inverting the entire unit.

2. In combination with a coin feeding device having a row of coin delivering throats, a portable coin delivery unit removable at will from the feeding device, said unit comprising a row of coin tubes which are normally disposed below said feeding device with the several tubes of the unit registering with the several delivery throats respectively, some of the tubes being of the same and others of a different diameter, the unit comprising upper and lower vertically spaced horizontal plates, each of a front to rear width exceeding the diameter of the largest of said tubes and to which the upper and lower portions respectively of the tubes are xed, each plate having a circular aperture coaxial with each respective tube, the apertures in the upper plate being freely open to permit coins from the corresponding delivery throats to drop freely down into the tubes, the lower ends of the tubes being located below the lower of the aforesaid horizontal plates, coin delivery slides below the lower of the aforesaid horizontal plates, and springs, also below said lower plate, operative normally to hold the slides so that each slide substantially closes the lower end of the corresponding tube, each tube having an escape aperture in the rear portion of its wall at its upper part, each escape aperture extending approximately 180 about the tube and being of such height that coins may fall freely therethrough, the highest point of each escape aperture being below the upper of said horizontal plates, and an open-topped receptacle having a bottom and vertical front, rear and end walls, said receptacle being arranged at the rear of the tubes and having its side walls xed to the lower of said horizontal plates thereby holding the receptacle in assembled relation to the tubes, the front and rear walls being spaced apart a distance approxnnately the diameter of the largest coin tube, the receptacle being so arranged as to receive coins which fall out through the escape aperture of any filled tube and the bottom of the receptacle resting upon and being fixed to the lower of said horizontal plates, the open top of the receptacle permitting coins collected therein to be dumped by inversion of the entire unit after removal of the latter from the coin feeding device.

3. A portable coin changer for use in a coin mechanism having delivery throats for discharging coins of different denominations respectively, said coin changer being removable as a unit from the coin receiving mechanism and comprising a base structure which includes an apertured top plate, a series of cylindrical coin tubes, the tubes being freely open at their upper ends and having their lower ends passing down through the openings in said top plate, the tubes being spaced to receive coins in their open upper ends which fall from the respective delivery throats, a coin ejecting slide within the base below each respective tube, each slide being below said top plate and being movable forwardly to deliver coins from the lower end of its respective tube, spring means also located below said top plate and being operative normally to hold each respective slide in coin supporting position, a receptacle for surplus coins arranged at the rear of the series of tubes and extending along the entire series, said receptacle being of sheet metal and comprising front and rear walls and a bottom wall, the

bottom wall being imperforate and being united to the top plate of the base thereby to connect the receptacle to the tubes to form a structure which can be handled as a unit, the receptacle also having vertical end walls fixed at their lower edges to the base and which extend forwardly approximately to the vertical diametrical plane of the several tubes of the series, said front wall being disposed directly to the rear of the series of tubes and having an upwardly and forwardly inclined ange provided with segmental openings whose edges t snugly about the rear portions of the several tubes, the forward portion of said flange being divided by said segmental apertures to form guard fingers which extend upwardly between the tubes, each tube having a wide open coin escape aperture at its upper rear portion through which coins may fall rearwardly into the receptacle, said apertures being wholly below the horizontal plane of the upper ends of the tubes, the receptacle being permanently open at its top and the coin changing unit, including the receptacle, being invertible thereby to dump coins from the receptacle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 540,701 Taylor June 11, 1895 750,718 Spear Jan. 26, 1904 1,111,389 Kastner Sept. 22, 1914 1,251,447 Tibbitts Dec. 25, 1917 1,823,829 Jones Sept. 15, 1931 1,971,062 Burton Aug. 2l, 1934 2,519,357 Daugherty Aug. 22, 1950 2,523,089 Black Sept. 19, 1950 2,547,102 Wallach Apr. 3, 1951, 2,578,226 Cavanagh Dec. 11, 1951 2,634,846 Arashiro Apr. 14, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 143,609 Great Britain May 25, 1920 308,045 Great Britain Mar. 21, 1929 59,996 Sweden July 20, 1922 65,191 Sweden Feb. 29, 1924 

